Calgary Flames Sign Kiprusoff to 6-Year Deal
Hooray for the Calgary Flames!!!! Yes, I’m partial because I live in Cow-Town but it’s still good news that they have gotten Miikka Kiprusoff to sign to a multi-year contract. The Vezina Tropy winner will get $35-million over the next 6 years (I still think he deserves more, but whatever). I love Kipper and I’m glad he is staying because I believe there is real chemistry there between him and Jarome Iginla, Robyn Regehr and Dion Phaneuf. Okay, I better get on with the rest of the story - Kipper news is the only hockey stuff that really reminds me what a girl I really am! *sigh*
Kiprusoff, 31, is making $3.6 million US in the final year of a three-year, $10-million US deal he inked Aug. 12, 2005.
“We expect him to be a major contributor to the success of our organization for years to come,” Flames general manager Darryl Sutter said. “If you see how it is structured and laid out, it works well for him and works well for us.”
Kiprusoff has a 5-3-3 mark with a 3.15 goals-against average and .879 save percentage in 11 starts this season, his fourth in Calgary.
“I look forward to the responsibility and challenge that comes with this contract,” he said.
Calgary acquired Kiprusoff from the San Jose Sharks for a second-round draft pick on Nov. 16, 2003, and he promptly went on a 24-10-4 tear for the Flames.
Kiprusoff was equally sensational in the playoffs, posting a 1.85 GAA in 26 games before the Flames were snuffed in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
For his efforts, he was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as top goaltender.
Kiprusoff lost the award to Martin Brodeur that season, but won it the next season (2005-06).
“You don’t get paid for past performances,” Sutter said. “He is going into his prime in the next three or four years, [and] I don’t see anyone who is going to replace him in that time.”
Kiprusoff is 125-78-30 overall with a 2.31 GAA and a .916 SP in 244 appearances over seven NHL seasons since being drafted in the fifth round (116th overall) by San Jose in 1995.
The Finnish native is a sparkling 111-54-23 with four ties for the Flames.
Tags: miikka kiprusoff, kipper, calgary flames, contract, kiprusoff flames contract, 2007
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POSTED IN: Calgary Flames, News, Players
1 opinion for Calgary Flames Sign Kiprusoff to 6-Year Deal
Lauren
Oct 30, 2007 at 10:28 am
Yes!!! The Flames fan in me is ecstatic!!!
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